Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
the market in metropolitan areas. Therefore, instead of relying on a middle person,
the producers are now capable of producing, processing, and selling their own
produce. This one stream process demonstrates the Sixth industry model.
In order to share information, SNSs are also widely used in the Sixth industry
model. Information sharing through word-of-mouth recommendations has also
become a major driving force in the industry. If SNSs enhance relationships
between human beings, and if service is defined as something human beings obtain
in a relationship, then what SNSs produce can be considered as services within the
Sixth industry model. Hence, SNS may well be the driving force of ITeS.
1.5.1.2 A Case of Distribution Innovation
The case of a small fishery base in the city of Ozu in Ehime prefecture, Japan, is a
good example of how ITeS contributes to the development of a rural area. Less than
100 households live in this area, and near the port, there is a fish store that sells only
natural varieties of fish (as opposed to raised varieties). A store called
Hamaya
sells
fresh fish at high prices over the Internet, and has a net store within Rakuten's
e-market place. Hamaya used to be the leader in selling Torafugu, a very expensive
kind of Japanese pufferfish. Even though fishermen have been catching this kind of
fish in this region for a long time, they have always brought the fish to Shimonoseki,
where there is a large dedicated market for Torafugu. When ICT became readily
available,
Hamaya
opened an online store, thus expanding the market.
The development of ICT infrastructure, however, was not enough for
Hamaya
to
be successful; in fact, the store was only able to start shipping the product after the
distribution network of Cool Takkyubin reached its place. Takkyubin is a fast
package delivery service, which carries various parcels, including golf bags, ski
gear, and suitcases sold by Yamato Holdings. Cool Takkyubin is a refrigerated
delivery service that is available to anyone almost anywhere in Japan for an
additional cost of less than 1,000 yen. The Takkyubin network was built with the
help of ICT in order to minimize delivery time. Thus, using this network, delivery is
now being done overnight from
Hamaya
to any consumer in Tokyo.
The distribution service, such as Cool Takkyubin, is enabled by ICT. Consider-
ing that
Hamaya
's business (i.e., the electronic sale of fresh fish) is only possible
with the development of such distribution services, it can be easily seen that ITeS
plays a key factor in rural development.
1.5.2 Technologies and Dreams for the Future
ITeS has a large growth potential, and being able to tap such potential can produce
great benefits in the future. ITeS will contribute to the betterment of human welfare.
As information devices continue to evolve, dreams will come true. The following
presents the prospects of ITeS.
